What a weekend!! Only now have we got a moment to reflect on what was a cracker of an event! Firstly, without the support of Yamaha NZ we simply couldn’t have done it. They were the first sponsor back on board from the inaugural event and to have title sponsorship support from the word go was amazing. So a huge thank you to Brendan and the team at Yamaha NZ. We hope to have you back again for next year! To our major sponsors, JetskiJunk.co.nz, 701 Industries, Krash Industries, Supreme Blast & Paint, Thank you. Kevin and Cathie, Dave, Nick, Brendan and Darryl, without your support we wouldn’t have been able to take the event to level it was at. You’re all an invaluable part of making it what it was. To Random Performance, KP Parts, Pro Rider Magazine, NZfreeride, Jet Pilot, Air Time Products, Australian Jet Ski Parts, Thrust Innovations, and Ethika Underwear thank you for your extremely generous support at the event. We can appreciate how hard it is to give to the many events that are out there and choosing to support our event is very humbling. We also want to that Nigel and the team from Rogers Boat Shop for the utterly fantastic BBQ that they put on both morning and at lunch each day. The food was absolutely delicious and hit the spot. It was the icing on the cake and was appreciated by all. Also, a big thanks to Red Bull for providing some much needed energy drinks for those that needed the extra lift after a hard night. To all the riders that entered the event thank you so very much for supporting the only free ride event in New Zealand. We’re so lucky to have such a fantastic location to hold the event and most of you have a long way to travel to get there so we appreciate you coming. You all pushed the limits in your own way and its awesome to see people progress. To our international riders, from Auzzie, Leigh, Lucas, Stu, Mitch and Dan, thanks for trekking across the ditch and we hope you all come back next year. To Matt “the Sinker” from Tahiti, awesome to have you at the event with your French Polynesian flair. I think Nigel is trying to hunt you down though Thank you to those that help with marshaling, especially Jack Burton who selflessly provided his ski and time to get out on the water both days. Also thank you to Wally for his efforts on the Friday. A massive thanks to both Grant and Guy for taking photos and video all day each day. Can’t wait to see the photos and event vid production. Very much looking forward to it. A huge thanks to Pauly Paul for sussing out a lot of the gear we used on the beach. Most appreciated. A big thank you too to Brendan Lucas and Norm McFarlane for their efforts in helping secure sponsors. Also, to Norm a huge thank you for liaising with the international crew and ensuring that they were looked after over the weekend. A big thanks to the Marine Medics team for being there both days to make sure we had the appropriate medical cover. Also a big thank you to the team from the Karioitahi Surf Life Saving club for being on-site with a rib each day in case of emergency out on the water. To all the others that have contributed to the event, you know who you are and thank you so much. Without support from people in the scene we simply couldn’t present the event in manner it was. Thank you to everyone that chipped in with setting up, running, and packing down the event. Awesome stuff. All going well, in the coming weeks we’ll have the video to present that will capture the essence of the event. We’ve still got plenty of sponsors thank you’s to send out and admin work to complete so its not over yet, but we really do want to express our appreciation to all those that were involved with the event. As they say, “Support those that support the sport”, so please ensure that next time you need something for your ski or yourself you take a look at those that have supported this event and choose them. Yamaha NZ Festival of Freeride 2 – Results The Stace Hopper Memorial Trophy NZ Festival of Freeride Award Winner - Brendan Lucas Sickest Trick – Stand-up – Mitch Young Sickest Trick – Blaster – Darryn Nagle Biggest Air – Stand-up – Mark Colling Biggest Air – Blaster – Dan McKenzie Cherry Popper – Adam Bainbridge and Hayden Brownlie Distinguished 180 – Simon Heaps Daredevil Dismount – Paul Coker Rock’n Re-Entry – Brendan Cash Pushing the Limits – Paul Santo Wrenching Award – Lincoln Shaw Meticulous Presentation – Brendan Lucas They See Me Roll’n – Matthieu Courtios Surf Style – Dan Williamson Havin’ a Crack – Rebecca Check Biggest Bail – Daniel Pearl
